Paddler Mags Won’t Publish Photos
Without a pfd on. Many years ago, Paddler magazine wouldn’t publish photos of my 9 year old niece paddling my Reverie canoe because she wasn’t wearing a pfd. Following year, they published a photo of her younger 8 year old sister who was wearing one and paddling the Reverie. Wonder why kids don’t canoe or kayak? Well, heck…they can surf all day on surfboards in big water without a pfd, so don’t expect them to get all trussed up in a pfd to go lilly dipping on a canoe.
Another
wind surfers don’t have to wear PFD’s either, even when way out on the ocean.
Always have them when racing
But race organizers usually make the decision to either require PFDs to be worn vs. just carried on-board. Sometimes it’s the insurance which dictates it.
surfski pfds
Lots of downwind or rough water races require ski racers to wear PFD’s in addition to a leash. A low profile racing PFD like a Mocke or Think is warmer for sure but does not interfere with stroke or remounting.